Chapter 35: Both Sides

"Listening to your analysis, poor Abe indeed. Perhaps the boy thought he finally encountered the light in his life, and mustered up the courage to talk to Luthieria."

Suzie chuckled, but the other team's affairs were none of their concern. Their only job was to keep an eye on Milanra.

"Maybe so, or perhaps I'm just being overly suspicious."

Chu Zihang shook his head.

"Indeed, Abe seems more suspicious. After all, the victims died in different places, and some locations don't seem like they were taken there forcefully, more like the women voluntarily went with the perpetrator. Abe is charming and attractive to women, which makes him more likely."

Suzie analyzed.

"In that case, it seems so."

Chu Zihang paused. He had been solely focused on behavioral analysis, neglecting the factor of male attractiveness to females. For example, where the victims lived – this might have been places they willingly took their companion.

"And what about Luchen?"

"He's in the middle, ready to move at any moment, but the directive from the executive is to get him closer to Abe."

"Let's wait then, hopefully tonight will bring some clarity."

Suzie didn't mind being with Chu Zihang, but he was deeply engrossed in analyzing the mission, completely unaware that he was fake-dating a beauty.

On the other side, Milanra had changed into a gown and sat in Abe's car, the sleek red fabric brushing against her pale thighs, concealing the modified Beretta M92F.

Meanwhile, Luthieria and Abe arrived at the Red Mountain Park, a famous local attraction.

"After seeing how skilled you are, I wonder if you've brought many girls here before?" Luthieria teased.

"N-no... never..." Abe stammered, his face flushing.

"Hehe, your performance gives it away. What's wrong, is this girl you like?"

Luthieria wore a gossiping expression.

"She's... she's great, as beautiful as you, Luthieria, but I'm not good enough for her."

Abe's mood was downcast.

"Silly, if you like her, go for it. You'll never know unless you try," Luthieria playfully tapped Abe's head.

"But she doesn't like me... There are many guys around her."

"Do they have your qualities?"

"I'm really inadequate... But those guys are just bad boys, they only covet her looks."

"And you're not one of them?"

"I... I..."

Abe's face reddened, unable to articulate.

"Although we've known each other since childhood, she often frequents various social circles, while I can only watch. We're not from the same world."

"Have you tried entering her world?"

As darkness enveloped them and the wind rustled through the maple forest, it felt like they were in a place for contemplating life.

"I... I'm afraid..."

"Why? You can muster the courage to talk to me."

"That... That's different."

"How is it different?"

"I... I find it harder to speak up in front of her."

...

In the car, Milanra touched up her makeup using a small mirror, elegant jazz playing in the background. Abe drove with ease, the atmosphere never dull.

Milanra appeared relaxed on the surface, but her vigilance grew increasingly heightened. She had memorized the nearby map; there were no luxury hotels or villas ahead, only the secluded pathway.

On standby, Luchen received a message and, together with Philemon, boarded a car headed their way.

Listening to the radio channels occasionally, he monitored both sides. Although Abe seemed suspicious, in his view, Abe was even more so!

Wasn't a deserted Red Mountain Park at night the perfect crime scene?

...

"...Actually, I know. She's a bad girl, plays around with bad boys, but I just can't let go."

"Abe, this isn't good. This is simping behavior."

"Simping?"

"It's a new term from China, roughly meaning doing anything for someone you like, giving all your love, but ultimately only moving yourself."

"Then I guess I'm a simp."

"Haha—rare to hear you admit it so directly. Have you ever thought about being more direct, more passionate in pursuing her, and driving away those bad boys around her?"

"I... I've thought about it, but I can't beat them, and I don't come from a wealthy family. My academic performance is average, and I haven't secured a university spot this year."

"I see. Indeed, loving someone requires one to be outstanding."

"See, Luthieria, do you think the same?"

"But from what you've said, she's not that outstanding, is she?"

"But she's beautiful, and I like her."

Abe's mood was low, seemingly lost in memories. "I remember there was a party she took me to recently, and I was happy because it was the first time she wanted to take me out to play. But when we got there, the others mocked and bullied me, and she just laughed along with those bad boys."

"And you still like her?"

"Because she's beautiful... and because she was nice to me when we were kids."

"Just because of that?"

"...Luthieria, do you think I'm pathetic?"

...

Luchen removed his earpiece, scratching his itchy ear, thinking, is this Big Sister's confessional channel?

He thought the Red Mountain Park would be deserted, and in the darkness, that kid would transform into a big bad wolf and eat up the beautiful Luthieria, but turns out, he's just a wimp talking about his emotional journey?

Meanwhile, there was a turn of events in Milanra's car.

"It seems to be getting foggy."

Abe remarked, pressing the defogging button, clearing the mist from the front windshield.

But Milanra, sitting in the passenger seat, began to droop her eyelids as the jazz reached its crescendo, slowly closing them.

"One-One! Milanra! Respond! Respond!"

The specialists in the command room realized something was wrong, frantically calling out.

In the dim car interior, Abe smiled, and as his eyes closed and reopened, a new light illuminated the car, glowing with fluorescent golden irises.